Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy is Chairman of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment and I appreciate what he said, as well as what was said by representatives from agriculture. I have met many of the companies involved who, unfortunately, are not in a position to make a formal complaint. However, today I have asked an independent, eminent person to consider bringing to finalisation a code of practice. I and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Smith, have discussed the matter. The person concerned has been requested to take that work on board and I hope he will. Arising from that, it is my clear intention to ensure a number of things.

First, we need to provide value for money and choice for the consumer. Second, as a former Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, we must continue to support the agricultural base in food and beverage production which we have in this country. Third, we need to ensure that we continue to have a strong and vibrant retail sector which provides choice. In reading all of the work which arose from the initial code which was introduced, there are polarised views on this matter. That being said, it is my intention to bring those matters to finality with a voluntary code as a matter of urgency. The code will then become statutory as part of my legislation. I appreciate the Deputy's concerns. I share them, on the basis that many people bring them to my attention and that of my colleagues. I will be appointing someone to do that body of work.

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